Today we’d like to introduce you to Katie Richmond.
Katie, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I’ve always loved capturing moments. I remember as a young kid I always wanted to bring disposable cameras everywhere. I also had one of those small Olympus point-and-shoot cameras! Taking photos is always something I’ve been fascinated with.
I got my first DSLR Camera (a Nikon D5000) for my 14th birthday. Occasionally my dad and I would play around with our digital and film cameras, taking photos of different things, including my siblings, as well as random household items and flowers. My dad taught me some basics about editing digital photos, and even had a darkroom set up in our garage for developing film!
When I was 15, I took some photos of a family member’s kids, and I really loved them. So I went and had them framed to give to her as a gift. When she opened them, she shed a tear. That is when I realized that capturing memories is such a fulfilling experience for me.
When I was 17 I was doing the occasional senior or couple photoshoot for friends. Then, I graduated high school and used my graduation money to buy myself a used full-frame camera (Nikon D600), and some nice lenses. At that time, I started diving full force into boudoir photography. I worked at a lingerie store, and they had a spare room upstairs that I would host boudoir events at! I also did my first creative portrait photoshoot around this time with a friend of mine.
I moved to Utah at age 19, and I got a few jobs, but just never felt like it was an end-game thing for me. I always knew it was in my life path to make art, I just didn’t know how yet. On February 1, 2020, I was feeling extremely undervalued in my 9-5, so I quit my job. I decided to just live off my savings for the summer, and picked up my camera again, and started doing all different kinds of photoshoots. In August of 2020, I had this idea to get myself on TikTok to try and grow a following, and I knew that I wanted to do a photo series.
So, I came up with the idea to do a monochromatic color series. I instantly fell in love with the creativity that was pouring out of me into my work. I love how empowering, freeing, and meaningful a portrait session can be, and I have dedicated my business to try to help women and men love themselves. I do all kinds of sessions, but creative portraits are where I thrive.
Now, a little over a year later, has gotten me on the radar of a lot of people in this industry, and I’m just continuing to hustle every day to try and grow my business further.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
I think my biggest struggle at this stage has been to maintain a work-life balance. As a small business owner, it is easy to get caught up in the chase of always trying to make more money. Lately, I’ve been discovering that constantly working is not good for my mental health and puts a blockage on my creativity.
If I am having these creative blocks, it is impossible for me to be 100% there for my clients. Finding a healthy balance of work, and having time off is something that has helped so much.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
My work revolves mostly around fashion and creative portraits, couples, and out-of-the-box branding sessions! I also do small families and elopements. Right now, I would say the things I am most known for are my monochromatic color series, as well as my “Gowns in Unusual Places” series!
I think what sets me apart is my bright and colorful editing style, as well as my personality. I am extremely extroverted and am so excited at every single shoot. I literally squeal sometimes, and this week alone I’ve been called a “hype girl” twice. I think that the connection I have with my client, and how they feel during and after the session is the most important part of photographing.
I am definitely most proud of my “Gowns in Unusual Places” series. At first, I was just going to weird locations (a skatepark, and a playground) with models in big gowns. But then I thought to myself “Why not just women who want cool photos of themselves?”
So, I opened it up to the public, and I have now shot 14 different gowns in 14 different unusual places! This series is certainly my most prized accomplishment.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
People can find me on: Instagram & TikTok @capturedbykatie
Facebook & Pinterest @photoscapturedbykatie
And at my website www.capturedbykatiephotography.com
Instagram is my biggest platform and also has all my social links. Supporting me is as easy as liking, sharing, and commenting on my posts, or booking a session with me! I would love to hear your stories.
Pricing:
- Portraits start at $250
- Couples start at $300
- Boudoir starts at $350
- Families start at $400
- Elopements & Branding Sessions start at $500
Contact Info:
- Email: photoscapturedbykatie@gmail.com
- Website: www.capturedbykatiephotography.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/capturedbykatie
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/photoscapturedbykatie
- Other: https://vm.tiktok.com/ZM84t5QMw/
Image Credits
Brianna Lee, Kiara Reyes, Matisse Frisian, Thirst Drinks, Ginny Models – Alyssa Bacon, Cheri XO, Arianie Perez, and Dana Moore
